Chris Kunitz Returning To Stanley Cup Finals

For the second time in his professional career, former Ferris
State University standout Chris
Kunitz is appearing on the national stage with aspirations of
winning the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup as a 2008-09
member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Kunitz and the Penguins are squaring off against the defending
Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in a best-of-seven 2009
Stanley Cup Final series, which began last weekend with a pair of
Detroit victories. Pittsburgh has advanced to the finals for the
second straight season after winning the Prince of Wales Trophy as
the NHL's Eastern Conference Champions with a 4-0 series sweep over
the Carolina Hurricanes.

Kunitz, who has presently tallied a career-best 12 post-season
points with a goal and 11 assists in 19 playoff games this season
for Pittsburgh, is hopeful his second appearance in the NHL Finals
is just as rewarding as the first time. Just two years ago, Kunitz
was an integral component in leading the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks to
their first-ever Lord Stanley's Cup with a 4-1 series victory
against the Ottawa Senators.

The treasured opportunity for Kunitz this spring wouldn't have
been possible if not for a transaction between Anaheim and
Pittsburgh on Feb. 26. Kunitz along with a prospect were shipped
off to Pittsburgh in exchange for Ryan Whitney six days prior to
the NHL trade deadline.

Now Ferris State's most decorated skater is one series away from
putting another Stanley Cup ring on his finger.

This season has been a productive one for the Kunitz, who
registered 23 goals and 30 assists for 53 points in a combined 82
regular-season outings with Anaheim and Pittsburgh. The Regina,
Saskatchewan native also generated a point in 12 of his 20
regular-season contests with Pittsburgh.

The 6-0, 193-pound left wing spent parts of five seasons
(2003-04; 2005-present) with the Anaheim Ducks before his trade to
Pittsburgh.

As a collegian at Ferris State, Kunitz excelled during his
2002-03 senior season by garnering American Hockey Coaches
Association (AHCA) All-America First-Team honors and was among the
final three 2003 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as
college hockey's top player. A two-time (2001-02 and 2002-03)
Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) First-Team pick,
Kunitz became the first Bulldog skater to earn CCHA Player of the
Year honors after leading the league in points, goals, assists, and
plus/minus for the 2002-03 campaign.

Kunitz concluded his stellar career ranking tied for sixth in
career points (175), second in goals (99) and 18th in assists (76)
in 152 contests. He played an integral role in leading the 2002-03
Bulldogs to a school-best 31-10-1 overall record, the school's
first-ever CCHA Regular-Season Championship title and the program's
first-ever NCAA Division I Championship Tournament appearance.
Kunitz was also recognized as the male student-athlete recipient of
the 2002-03 Bulldog of the Year Award, which is presented annually
to the most outstanding Ferris State student-athlete.